Jain Stories 03

Author(s): Mahendramuni, K C Lalwani
Publisher: A B Jain Shwetambar Terapanth Samaj

Page 45

3. NALA-DAMAYANTI
There was a city named Kundinapur in Vidarbha where reigned King Bhima His queen was Puspavati. One night, the queen saw in a dream an elephant ( Hindi 'danti' meaning one with tusks ) terrified by a forest fire Shortly after this, a daughter was born to her and she was named Davadanti, popularly called Damayanti Damayapti's childhood passed in great comfort and happiness When she attained her youth, the king thought of giving her a chance to select her own husband Many big and powerful princes were invited from lands near and far off Among those who responded to the invitation was King Nisadha of Ajodhya who came with his two sons, Nala and Kuvara Damayanti's choice fell on Nala, which was widely appreciated by everybody The marriage was performed with the greatest pomp and the king bestowed on his daughter a very rich dowry consisting of elephants, horses, maids, valets, clothes, utensils, ornaments and many other things
Having attained his old age, King Nisadha renounced the royal responsibilities in favour of his eldson Nala Nala was an able administrator and he extended the limits of his kingdom In fact, he became the lord of half of Bharata-varsa and many powerful kings become his vassals People of all ranks were happy with Nala's administration, and that was the main reason of his success as a king
Even a mighty tree may be ruined if a poisonous insect perches on it Likewise, a single member in the family can effect the ruin of the entire family Nala had great affection for his younger brother but this was not reciprocated by the latter, who wanted to see Nala ruined and turned into a beggar But because of Nala's success, he was not getting a chance to execute his vile design
A man becomes perfected only on overcoming attachment, but not before that And even a perfected man may be ruined by a single lapse King Nala was a great master